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Face claim for Clarice de' Medici - Synnøve Karlsen.
Chapter One Hundred & Eighteen: A Displeasured Match.
12th of April 1541 - Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France
Making her way down the halls of the palace that she had grown up in, Jeanne of Navarre ignored the looks from the people that she passed; rushing faster than what would be considered proper as she made her way towards her mother's chambers. Her heart pounded in her chest and her hands clutched at her skirts as she made her way, the news that had been delivered by her father not ten minutes ago making her feel sick.
Jeanne didn't know what was worse, the smile on her father's face as he announced her engagement or the look on William, Duke of Julich-Cleves-Berg's face at said announcement. Her stomach had turned seeing the way that he looked at her, a man that was twice her age and had already starting promising her what their future together would look like how happy he was at their impending marriage.
Jeanne had fled, ignoring the calls from her father to come back, she had fled knowing that he would be displeased with her but she would not stand for so a match. Finally she reached the doors of her mother's chambers, quickly making her way inside and ignoring her mother's ladies as she made her swift approach to Marguerite of Navarre who was working on her embroidery surrounded by other ladies of the court.
"Mama please," Jeanne of Navarre pleaded approaching her mother, she did not wish for this marriage nor did she believe that her father would be willing to do this to her. William was not the man that she wished to marry, she was nothing more than a prize for him to claim; a way to further his own power, to gain a throne and control her. There were few times that Jeanne had been around the man since he had arrived at her father's court, he had watched her from afar making Jeanne increasingly making her uncomfortable.
"You must speak to father and convince him against this match," Jeanne pleaded with her mother, standing feet away from her and moving to take her hands as she pleaded with her mother to help her. Marguerite sighed setting down her work, she looked to her only child and daughter knowing that the decision was out of her hands; William was a fine match for Jeanne, a man with titles of his own that would not threaten her own.
"Your father and uncle have both approved this match," Marguerite pointed out, knowing that Henry and Francis had been in deep discussions on matches for Jeanne since she was a child. Every consideration had been taken, despite Marguerite's disapproval of the match, there was little that she could do to sway their minds on the marriage of Jeanne to William. It was only a matter of time before a marriage would be contracted for her daughter, Marguerite had done her best to guide her but there was only so much that she could do.
"It is a fine match Jeanne, one that will strengthen your own claim. You won't have to share his bed until you are fourteen," Marguerite reassured her, she moved to take both of her daughter's hands in her own and stared upon her wishing that her marriage would be blessed. One day, Jeanne would understand, one day she would see that they had done all they could to protect the Navarre throne for her, that it was going to be worth it in the end.
Jeanne pulled away from her mother, tears burning her eyes as she shook her head unable to believe that her own mother didn't have her back in this; that she was willing to sell her only daughter like this. Jeanne turned on her heel, not wanting to listen to another word about how good a match William, Duke of Cleves was for her; she left the chambers, Marguerite sighing knowing that this wasn't easy on any of them.
Henry had considered a match with the younger son of Isabella of Portugal, something that Marguerite had completely refused, she had already pleaded with her husband that she would accept any man but that one. Charles of Austria was four years old now, the heir to the Spanish realms after his older brother King Philip and Marguerite heard how much the boy resembled his father. Marguerite had been relieved when Henry had listened to her and had not considered the match, although from what she had heard from Francis, John was being considering as a match for Elisabeth of Valois.
Heading out into the gardens, Jeanne didn't look back as she ignored the stormy clouds that brewed above her head; she didn't stop running into the palace was hidden away by the hedges and she could not see the building anymore. Taking a deep breath, Jeanne allowed the tears to fall freely from her eyes as she wrapped her arms around herself; her fingers digging into her arms as she thought about the future that now lay ahead of her. There was a soft pitter patter of rain drops as the heavens opened, she didn't care as the light rain poured down; she didn't hide her sobs knowing that no one else would be out in the gardens.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" a voice said making Jeanne jump, she opened her eyes and turned to see the concerned face of a man that she didn't quite know. His blue eyes held something that Jeanne could not quite describe, she felt like they were staring into her soul and she found herself a little lost for words.
"My apologises, I did not mean to scare you," the man said, he held his hands up to show that he meant no harm, he had seen her run by him in the halls and had come to see if she was alright. Afterall, it wasn't every day that the heir to the throne fled from the palace, although he could only guess why she had done when her father was celebrating her engagement.
"I am quite well my lord," Jeanne assured, quickly reaching up to wipe away the tears that she had allowed to fall so that she didn't seem like a child nor did she need the court to hear about this. Her uncle had ensured that she had the finest education, Jeanne had been raised in the Château de Plessis-lèz-Tours in the Loire Valley, thus living apart from her parents.
"I am no lord, Your Highness, just a diplomat that enjoys his work," the man laughed softly shaking his head, he had no doubts that one day he would be but his cousin had sent him here for a reason. Ippolito had instructed him that their presence was important especially with the growing strength of the House of Valois; staying on the right side of the French was an important thing for Ippolito's own reign.
"Cosimo de' Medici, Your Highness," the man said introducing himself, taking her hand and bowing his head as he pressed a chaste kiss upon the top of her hand. Jeanne couldn't hide the blush that covered her cheeks, her eyes staring at the man that had now identified himself as the diplomat from Florence. Cosimo's eyes caught on Jeanne's, a smile forming on his face as he took in the blush that covered her lovely face and he knew that William was a lucky man to have her as his bride.
"Perhaps we should return inside… the weather seems to be against us," Cosimo noted looking to the sky, the weather would only get worse and it was his duty as a member of her father's court to escort her back inside. Cosimo took off his cloak and wrapped it around Jeanne's shoulders, he carefully fastened the clasp and smiled down to her; Jeanne unable to take her eyes off the man that stood before her.
The rain started to get heavier and Jeanne nodded her head, shivering a little as her dress started to soak up the rain; she took Cosimo's arm and allowed him to slowly escort her back to the palace. It took less time than Jeanne would have liked, almost wishing that they could have walked even slower before she found herself back inside; her ladies quickly coming to fuss over her when they saw her return.
"It was a pleasure to walk with you, Your Highness," Cosimo said bowing his head to Jeanne, a smile on her face that had not seemed to have fully lifted since he had come across her. Jeanne was almost sad to see Cosimo depart, her hand holding onto his own as she didn't want to let go; she wished that there was something that she could say to him to make him stay.
Cosimo took his leave, allowing Jeanne's hand to slip from his own as he made his way back to his own chambers; they might not be as grand as they had been in Florence but he was thankful for the chance to prove himself. Jeanne watched him leave, ignoring her ladies as they obsessed over her wet clothing and trying to encourage their mistress to return to her chambers so that they could dry her off.
Jeanne continued to watch after Cosimo, knowing that she had been described as "frivolous and high-spirited princess", she also, at an early age, displayed a tendency to be both stubborn and unyielding. It was something that she considered a compliment despite what her parents believed and she had always gone after what she had wanted, she allowed her ladies to start leading her to her chambers. This would not be the last time that she crossed paths with Cosimo de' Medici, she would certainly make sure of that.
11th of December 1541 - Château de Fontainebleau, France
The French court had much to celebrate that year, only a month earlier they had welcomed the third child and second daughter of the Dauphin and Dauphine. Princess Claude had been named for her paternal grandmother, the late Claude of France, Prince Henri had been insistent on the matter especially in regards to their second daughter.
Although it was worth noting that the Dauphine had been far from pleased with a second daughter when she was so convinced that she would have another son. That hadn't dampened the spirits of the Dauphin, who was thrilled with the recent addition to his own family; he had ordered celebrations for the birth of his daughter, almost as grand as the last set for his son.
King Francis felt a sense of pride, watching his oldest living son with his own family; a part of him wishing that his eldest boy had been given such a chance in life. Maria of Portugal continued to write to her father-in-law, despite the shortness of her marriage to the Duke of Brittany; she honoured him, and Francis was saddened to know that she would not consider remarrying.
Instead she had returned to Portugal, living and serving her brother and his wife; she was contented with her life, saying that she would not have it any other way. Maria of Portugal was instructing her niece, Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal, whose engagement to Maximilian of Austria had recently been announced; she would act as an escort when the young princess travelled to meet her intended husband.
King Francis knew the past year had not been an easy one, he prayed for the soul of his daughter who had been taken from them far too soon and he wished every day that he could have spared Madeleine. King James wrote to him often on the progress of the Princess Mary, instructing that he was educating her as finely as Francis had educated Madeleine and hoped that one day they could come to France.
Reports also indicated that things were going well for Charles, he was growing into his role as monarch and it looked promising between him and Maria of Austria. Then there was his daughter Margaret, a steady presence at court who served her Queen well and Francis was considering a match with the young son of the Duke of Savoy for her.
Emmanuel Philibert was the only son of Charles II of Savoy and his wife, Beatrice of Portugal, Duchess of Savoy; he was a good match from what Francis could see for his last daughter from his marriage to Claude. Francis wasn't quite ready to let go of all of his children just yet, not after losing Madeleine like he had done; he was thankful that he still had time with Margaret before he had to let her go.
Aubert, Yolande and Édouard were growing up so quickly, Francis couldn't believe how fast the years were going and a part of him wished that he had more time with the children. Aubert was all set up as the Duke of Anjou while Édouard was the new Duke of Milan, set up now that Charles was King of Naples; one day his younger son would move to Milan to learn how to rule.
Yolande was the first of the three to make a match, she was to be the bride of King Philip further down the line; her match would secure an alliance between the two countries, perhaps even securing peace. Queen Elisabeth had truly been a blessing since she had married him, birthing him four healthy children and Francis could not have felt happier than he did right that moment holding his newborn daughter in his arms. The bells rang out in celebration for the birth, Francis had ordered that celebrations begin right away and he wanted no expense sparred for the birth of his daughter.
"What shall we name her my love?" Elisabeth asked from her bed, watching Francis with tired eyes and a smile upon her face; the fact that he had come all this way to see her and their daughter warming her heart. It had been a long labour and Elisabeth had been thrilled to finally hold her baby in her arms, the sight of the dark hair making her smile before the baby was taken to be cleaned.
"Adelais," Francis said after a moment of thought, looking to his wife to see her reaction only to be greeted with a smile; no doubt that everyone was waiting for the name of their newest princess. The House of Valois was going strong, he had no doubts that like her sisters Adelais would secure a fine marriage in the distant future.
I recommend Bed of Deceit by BellalunaMcKenzie, For Even as Love Crowns You by wizardfantasy and Sanctuary by Cattyfan. Also check out My Lord Husband, The Enemy by Esme24, That Subtle Wreath by EvilFluffyBiteyThing and its sequel, A Progress in Kent.
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